Should I swap my Griffith for a Cerbera?
Should I swap my Griffith for a Cerbera?
Author
Discussion

neilmac

Original Poster:

567 posts

290 months

Sunday 7th September 2003
quotequote all
Had my 96P Griff 500 a bit over a year now, love it to bits, totally reliable, sounds superb with it's sports exhaust and has all the performance that I could possibly need. But........there's just something about a Cerbera.

Now, do I risk swapping my beloved Griff for a Cerbie with (according to threads on PH) greater running expenses, less reliability (?), higher insurance, fixed roof? But.......there's just something about a Cerbera.

So, if I could find a good V8 Cerbie (can't justify S6 potential engine probs) as a STRAIGHT SWAP should I go for it?

I don't really want to go through a dealer and suffer their profit margins but would rather deal direct with a genuine owner, hopefully a PHer who knows a thing or two about TVRs. - Do Cerbera owners hanker after Griffiths?

If you were in my position would you take a leap into the unknown? or stick with what you know and love?

Advice please people - thanks

AllTorque

2,646 posts

297 months

Sunday 7th September 2003
quotequote all
Have just put mine up on the classifieds (96 cosmos blue) with exactly the same thoughts in mind. Have owned mine a similar amount of time too. The Cerb is soooo tempting...

alans

3,743 posts

284 months

Sunday 7th September 2003
quotequote all
I'm thinking of changing from a cerb to a tuscan, there just something about the tuscan, but I've just seen my son drive my cerb and I thought what an absolutly gorgeous car the cerb is! bugg*r.

alan

gixxer1000

786 posts

280 months

Sunday 7th September 2003
quotequote all
neilmac, you may get lucky, but I doubt you'll find a sorted Cerbera as a STRAIGHT SWOP for a 96P Griff. Cerbera residuals are generally a good bit higher.

neilmac

Original Poster:

567 posts

290 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
gixxer1000 said:
neilmac, you may get lucky, but I doubt you'll find a sorted Cerbera as a STRAIGHT SWOP for a 96P Griff. Cerbera residuals are generally a good bit higher.


Actually not too sure about this at the moment, scanning through the ads on here and particularly Autotrader there are several available at Griff money.

The Cerbs advertised at that price range sound OK, maybe that isn't the case in the flesh!

Griff prices seem to have remained firm of late with many changing hands, whereas Cerbs seem to be advertised for a lot longer - maybe thats just my perception?

davidd

6,712 posts

312 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
I did this last year, and would say that whilst a Griff is a splendid thing a Cerbera is beyond comprehension!

However they are utterly different cars, and I would say that the chances of big bills are far greater in a Cerb, that said mine has cost peanuts to run over the last year, although it is at Offord at the mo having some mods and an MOT.

If I had the cash I'd have both, alas however I do not so I have to make do with a Cerbera

Marc, make sure that Griff goes to a good home And if you think that is loud you should hear a decatted cerbera with straight through pipes.....Needless to say I've been ordered to mend it

D.

AllTorque

2,646 posts

297 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
David, have had two awfully polite chaps look over the Griff so far. I'm sure it will go to a good home. I've absolutely loved the experience, but feel it is time for a change.

Regarding the Cerb, does it have the "kit-car"ishness of the Griff? Eg mad wiring looms etc.?

basher

998 posts

312 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
YES


End of topic

Used to have a griffith before the cerbera

No comparison - if you can deal without a convertible in the summer then the Cerbera is in another league...

Basher
www.theratpac.com


Although that said i will be buying a Griff again next year (4.3 BV pre cat) to keep as a collectors addition next to my pony......

>> Edited by basher on Monday 8th September 11:39

davidd

6,712 posts

312 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
AllTorque said:
David, have had two awfully polite chaps look over the Griff so far. I'm sure it will go to a good home. I've absolutely loved the experience, but feel it is time for a change.

Regarding the Cerb, does it have the "kit-car"ishness of the Griff? Eg mad wiring looms etc.?


In some areas it is worse (behind the helmet holder for a start) but in most cases it is very good. There is a lot more velcro on the cerb which can only be good

D.

iandbeech

2,709 posts

286 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
Of course you could have the best of both worlds and get a 5.0 HC Chimaera The looks of a Cerbera with a soft top - and I know of a superb one in Rosso pearl having filmed it this weekend!!

paul r

1,181 posts

312 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
This is one for both Neil and Ian.

Neil - When are you thinking of selling? I may be interested around January, that is if you want to still see it around!!! And Ian, you know of Rosso 5.0 available??

I have always fancied a Rosso Pearl TVR, It reminds me of the first TVR I drove, a Griff 500 at Brundle, We pulled away so quick that the number plate flew off!!!!

neilmac

Original Poster:

567 posts

290 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
In no rush to sell the Griff Paul, just have this hankering for a Cerbie.

And Ian, a Chimeara? Like em - but prefer the Griff IMHO. Hope your mate sells his OK though - looks great!

Griffmeister

211 posts

304 months

Monday 8th September 2003
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Neil, I swapped out of a 4.5 Cerbie and back into a Griff 500 last year. The damned thing gave me bigger headaches than my missus. Yes it looked a million dollars and really turned heads but it really was a sod to live with. It was always going wrong. The Griff on the other hand has been no trouble at all, its just as loud, virtually as fast and the running costs so much lower. As an added bonus I reckon its probably worth almost the same as I paid for it a year ago.

I say stick with a Griff unless you have a very tolerant other half or a kindhearted Bank manager.

SGirl

7,924 posts

289 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
We effectively swapped a 911 and a Griff for our Cerbie. And no regrets. Nothing untoward has happened to the Cerbie yet :runsandtoucheslotsofwood: - it's been just as reliable as the Griff ever was.

I suppose the bottom line is: take your time to find a good one and you won't regret making the switch. The Griff is quick, but the Cerb is awesome!!

scruffy

3,757 posts

289 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
It's got a bloody roof...

pvapour

8,981 posts

281 months

Monday 8th September 2003
quotequote all
paul r said:
This is one for both Neil and Ian.

Neil - When are you thinking of selling? I may be interested around January, that is if you want to still see it around!!! And Ian, you know of Rosso 5.0 available??

I have always fancied a Rosso Pearl TVR, It reminds me of the first TVR I drove, a Griff 500 at Brundle, We pulled away so quick that the number plate flew off!!!!


Hi Paul, I've got a Cherry Pearl Chimaera 5.0 HC that I'll be looking to change in January time.

neilmac

Original Poster:

567 posts

290 months

Tuesday 9th September 2003
quotequote all
Griffmeister said:
Neil, I swapped out of a 4.5 Cerbie and back into a Griff 500 last year. The damned thing gave me bigger headaches than my missus. Yes it looked a million dollars and really turned heads but it really was a sod to live with. It was always going wrong. The Griff on the other hand has been no trouble at all, its just as loud, virtually as fast and the running costs so much lower. As an added bonus I reckon its probably worth almost the same as I paid for it a year ago.

I say stick with a Griff unless you have a very tolerant other half or a kindhearted Bank manager.


Yep, reality has just kicked back in!

Thanks for all your advices but I will stay with my Griff - too much going for it!!

chimhunter

906 posts

277 months

Tuesday 9th September 2003
quotequote all
pvapour said:
Hi Paul, I've got a Cherry Pearl Chimaera 5.0 HC that I'll be looking to change in January time.



What wheels are you running on? Had a quick look at your profile but couldn't see anything. Done anything to the suspension to cater for the different rims?

Rob